Lydia Joy was born at 5:31 p.m. on Monday, March 23^rd. She weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces.

We couldn’t have asked for anything different with a wonderful home delivery (we’re grateful for our amazing midwife). Mommy and Baby are doing great!

Anna Marie and I spent a lot of time talking and praying about Lydia’s name. For me, talking about baby names has been something enjoyable these past few years when a little one was on the way. Anna Marie, on the other hand, so enjoys thinking about baby names she has been doing it since she was a little girl. We love the name Lydia Joy for a number of reasons. First, Lydia in the Bible was a woman who loved God, worshipped Him, served Him, worked hard, and was hospitable (Acts 16:14, 40). A literal translation from the Greek for Lydia means travail, implying hard work. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that should be prevalent in the life of a follower of Jesus, and we felt it was a perfect middle name for Lydia. And as many of you know, she does share a middle name with her cousin Susannah Joy who, eight years ago today, entered into the fullness of joy living in the presence of Jesus Himself!

Our prayer is that Lydia Joy will be one whose joyful spirit is a testimony of her love for Jesus as she diligently works at the tasks the Lord gives her.

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2)

Thank you for your prayers, and we covet your continued prayer support as we seek God’s grace to raise these little ones in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! Parenthood is delightful, amazing, fun, and challenging–we’re loving it!

Rejoicing in His mercy,
Christopher and Anna Marie

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple,
of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us:
whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended
unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
Acts 16:14

“… that our daughters may be as corner stones,
polished after the similitude of a palace.”
Psalm 144:12